Welcome Spring Blooms

Hello friends,

I can't believe how long it has been since I last posted.  Time has been flying by and Pippin is growing up fast.  The gardens are looking great!  Would you like to see what has been blooming over the past month or so?  Please come along and stroll with me.

Purple tulips looked so stately this year.

Magnolia blooms in pretty hues of pink.  They remind me of tissue paper flowers.

Pear tree covered in white blossoms.

The violets have taken over.  Carefree and spreading their wings ...

Brunnera 'Jack Frost' with beautiful forget-me-not like flowers and frosty heart shaped leaves.  A spring favorite of mine.

I have five different varities of lilacs now.  The old fashioned variety has started to fade.

Cleome by the fountain.

Pulmonaria so bright and cheery.

The ever so dainty bleeding hearts.

Iris 'Cristata' blooming in front of the pond.

I just love this time of year.  All the blooms make me smile.  I will be back to share some photos of Pippin with you.

Don't forget you can follow Donna's Designs on Facebook.

Wishing you a happy and safe Memorial Day!

Early Spring in the Garden

Hello my friends,

It has been a while since I've had the opportunity to post.  The past couple of weekends have been filled with garden clean up.  I'm happy to write the first blooms have arrived.  

It's always uplifting to see color again in the garden.

The beginning of a new season ...

Lots of bright blues and purples ...

The very entertaining chipmunks are back.  I enjoy watching them scurry about the yard with their cheeks filled with gathered nuts and seeds.

Peonies are starting to emerge.  A new variety I planted in the fall called 'Terrific Gal'.  They will have a double row of ruffled rose petals with a wonderful fragrance.

Finches and sparrows are gathering twigs for their houses.  Bird nests are appearing in the trees ... they are singing a song.

Magnolia buds so pretty against the blue sky.

There is so much to look forward to ... spring is in the air.

Wishing you a fantastic weekend!

Waiting for Spring

Hi everyone,

 

Are you going through garden withdrawal?  Back in the fall I had a wonderful package arrive from White Flower Farm.

I wasn't sure if I was going to plant any bulbs after the critters dug up my pink tulips, but after swooning over the catalog I just couldn't resist.

My darling husband helped me dig several areas and we put in cages for some of them.  We dug a hole approx. 12" square by 10" deep. 

The cage was set at the bottom and filled with a bed of soil for the proper planting depth.

I placed the bulbs on top of the soil (pushing them in slightly) and spaced them according to their label. 

The bulbs were covered with soil to the top of the cage.
 

We then lowered the top panel and attached the side panels with twist ties.

 

The remaining soil covered the rest of the cage and finally we mulched.

Here are some of the flowers I hope to enjoy come springtime.
 

 

 

 

I also purchased squirrel proof crocus bulbs.  I'm assuming these bulbs contain lycorine, a bitter tasting substance that repels animals.

(Photos courtesy of White Flower Farm)

I know it will be a few months away, but I look forward to seeing what sprouts!  Did you plant any spring bulbs in the fall?  Have you been fighting the burrowing critters too?

Today I am joining ...

Outdoor Wednesday @ A Southern Daydreamer
Home Party @ Rose Chintz Cottage
Share Your Cup Thursday @ Have a daily cup from Mrs. Olson
Thursday Favorite Things @ Katherine's Corner
Open House Party @ Bernideen's Tea Time
Show and Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home